Oslo in 24 hours? Then to Bergen

Well, not really - EXCEPT that we DID start yesterday, so: the Opera House roof walk - tick; MUNCH - saw the new building (we saw Munch’s ‘The Scream’ when we visited in 1978) - tick.

So, after yet another wonderful breakfast, we set off to see more sights.

First up today: the Slottsparken laid out 1838-1860 - tick. 

This is the park of the Royal Palace - quite lovely especially while it is still cool. 

Mindful of being economical with steps today, we have Google-mapped a course to follow.

It quickly warms up to 23 deg C.

Next stop is the Nobel Peace Centre. MF not keen (especially when it cost kroners to go in!) but he conceded afterwards that it was very interesting. Tick, tick.

There were several exhibitions including one of last year’s winner, Narges Mohammadi. She is an Iranian human rights activist and is in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Next, the Akershus Fortress: a medieval castle built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. Tick, tick, tick.

Back then to the hotel for our midday checkout but chucked in a quick look at the Domkirche (cathedral) for good measure as we went past - it made for a good spot for a quick sit-down in any event. 

Walked 7.5 kms so far.

Time enough at the hotel for a shower and pack; and we decided to sit in the nice lounge and watch the Olympics rather than walk any further. We also chatted to a Swede who had just cycled in from somewhere south of Bergen. He was an interesting bod!

There is a Nespresso coffee machine here so we are very comfortable before setting off to the station for our afternoon train to Bergen - a tad over 7 hours of travel (!).

This is meant to be one of the great train journeys in the world.

Lots of lakes, tunnels (dozens of them!), trees, green fields, pink and bright yellow flowers. The houses are a mix of colours: white, red, black/dark brown, mustard, dark grey - all wood of course.

We have climbed to 1243m at Finse - raining - and there is snow!

We arrive into Myrdal (866.8 m) at 19:25 - we will be back here in a few days time when we are on the cruise and will take the train up from Flåm. More tunnels, more rivers. Spectacular scenery.

Finally we arrive into Bergen. We drag the suitcases along the waterfront to our hotel along cobble-stoned streets. Very pretty. Tourist-central!!

Check-in and quickly race back along the waterfront to Bryggeloftet for dinner; despite it being a tad after 10 pm, they let us order. Nice meal.

We walk back to our hotel just as it starts to rain. The waterside area is lit up like a Xmas tree. Quite lovely but choc-a-bloc with people and there is a long continuous line of traffic.

Total day’s walking: 11.5 kms.